Improvement in washing-machines



Uivrinn SIMON W. SHANKS, OF BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters PatentNo. 159.613, dated February9,1875; application filed December 28, 1874..

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, SIMON W. SHANKs, ofBenton Harbor, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Washing-Machine, of which thefollowing is a specification:

Figure l is a vertical cross-section of my improved machine, takenthrough the line a: fr, Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same.Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same taken through the line y y,Fig. l..

Similar letters of referenceindicate correspondin g parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved washing-machinesimple in construction, convenient in use, and effective in operation,washing the clothes quickly and thoroughly.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of partswhich will be hereinafter described, and then pointed out in the claims.

A is a tub, which may be an ordinary washtub or a tub made expressly forthe purpose. To one side of the tub A is attached a tenon or lug, al, toenter a mortise in the end of a crossfbar, B, or in a cleat attached tosaid cross-bar. The other end of the crossbar B rests upon a notchedcleat or lug, a2, attached to the side of the tub A, directly oppositethe lug a1. To the cross-bar B, near its ends, are rigidly attached thelower ends of two standards, C. Between the standards C, near one oftheir side edges, is placed a roller, D, the journals of which revolvein bearings in the said standards. One of the journals of the roller Dproject, and to it is attached the crank E, by which the machine isoperated. To the roller D, near its ends, are attached spurs or teethd', which take hold of the endless bands or chains F, to which areattached a series of slats, G, which are hinged to each other, by wireor other suitable hinges, to keep them from getting out of place upon orstraining or stretching the bands F. The slats Gr are made about an inchsquare, and have their outer edges beveled off, as shown in Fig. 1, toform a rough or corrugated surface to operate upon the clothes. Theendless chain of slats G also passes around two wheels, E, attached to ashaft, I, the journals of which work in bearings in the standards C, asshown in Fig. 3. By this construction a longer rubbing-surface is formedfor the clothes, and the spaces between said slats allow the watersqueezed from the clothes to flow oit' freely. The side edges of theupper parts of the standards G are beveled oft' to receive the frame J,the side bars of which are slightly inclined or beveled to correspondwith the inclined side edges of the said standards O. The cross-bars ofthe frame J are placed at the inner sides of the standards C, and tothem are pivoted the ends of a series of rollers, K, which are madeoctagonal inform, and the faces of which may be made plain or may becorrugated longitudinally, as may be desired. To the upper ends of theside bars of the frame J are attached the upper ends of four coiledsprings, L, the lower ends of which are attached to the lower part ofthe outer side of the standards C. The springs L hold the upper rubber JK down upon the clothes and i at the same time allow said rubber toyield to adapt itself to the varying thickness of the clothes beingoperated upon. The roller-frame J is connected with the standards C bythe springs L independently of other fastening devices or a pivotalconnection, so as to enable said frame to rise and fall or to adjustitself at both sides, or wherever the pressure may be applied. Theinclined faces of the standards and the oblique position of side bars ofthe frame will cause the latter to rise and fall without being displacedor twisted.

In using the machine, the clothes arev inserted between the lower andupper rubbers, and are carried back and forth between said rubbers byturning the crank E iirst in one and then in the other direction. Anydesired part of the clothes may be'rubbed by keeping it under therollers, occasionally letting it down into the water, and then placingit again under the rollers. The ends of any articles, such as sheets,quilts, Ste., or any garment long enough to admit of its bein gpassedaround the lower rollers, and its ends being together, may be washed byturning the crank in one direction and letting the clothes pass underards C and apron G F, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of the slats G, the exible connecting-bands F, thespurred roller D, and wheels H, with the frame B C and rollerframe J K,as and for the purpose described.

SIMON WILLARD SHANKS.

Witnesses:

REASON D. SHANKs, FRANK A. WHITE.

